Auditions: Children of Eden
Children of Eden Auditions
Book by John Caird
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Directed by Julie Ewing
Music Direction by Kevin Bogan
Synopsis
This joyous and inspiring musical celebrates the difficulty of choice, the importance of passion, the value of questioning, and the pain in allowing those you love to take risks and face the consequences.
Audition information
The director has chosen to set the show in a post-apocalyptic environment and would like to include a cast of actors ages 16 and up, including both deaf and hearing individuals of all backgrounds and genders.
Because of Covid 19, the artistic team is asking that everyone interested in auditioning do so by video, which is to be submitted to sm.coe.octa@gmail.com by midnight Sunday, May 16, 2021. Please also include the Audition Form, the Rehearsal Conflict Sheet, and your resume and headshot (if available).
Also because of Covid 19, singers are encouraged to submit the sides listed by the roles that they are most interested in, as there will be little singing at the callbacks. Actors who do not sing are asked to perform a monologue of their choice, or they may choose to perform one of the songs from the role that they are most interested in.
Callbacks will be held by invitation only on Monday, May 24 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
For our deaf or hard-of-hearing community, here are some instructions on how to audition for our show!
Watch the video on how to audition.
Sides:
Downloadable Forms
Tracks
Children of Eden Karaoke tracks
Character Breakdown
Ensemble (5 – 8 people; includes actors in all ranges; ages 16 and up, from deaf to hearing, and all gender identities) VIDEO AUDITION: SIDES THAT BEST FIT YOU:
VIDEO AUDITION: FATHER/ADAM SIDES
VIDEO AUDITION: EVE/MAMA NOAH SIDES
Family Members; Storytellers, Snake (5 singers)
Father – VIDEO AUDITION: FATHER/ADAM SIDES
An older looking, impressive man. A true father figure, he wants the best for all of his children but parents with a firm hand. Protective, loving, and reminiscent of God.
Gender: Male Age: 35 to 55
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Adam / Noah*** – VIDEO AUDITIONS: FATHER/ADAM SIDES
Adam: Eve’s bright and childlike partner. He is initially devout to Father and loving to his wife & children. Later plagued by guilt. Hard-working and reserved. Noah: rough but simple. He is unsophisticated and shrewd, but also warm and loyal. He builds the ark to save his family and honor Father.
Gender: Male. Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Eve / Mama*** – VIDEO AUDITION: EVE/MAMA NOAH SIDES
Eve: curious and questioning, smart and excited. Chose an imperfect life of knowledge over a perfect life of innocence. Mama: Noah’s wife and inherently motherly. She possesses a gentle strength, is reassuring, and serves as the mediator of the family.
Gender: Female Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Cain / Japheth*** – CAIN/YOUNG MEN SIDES
Cain: Abel’s older, adventurous brother. Follows in his mother’s footsteps and longs for the companionship of other humans. He is strong, stubborn, and independent. Japeth: in love with Yonah and is willing to sacrifice his life to be with her. He is Noah’s youngest son. Clever, rebellious, stubborn.
Gender: Male. Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: A5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Abel / Ham – CAIN/YOUNG MEN SIDES
Abel: Cain’s younger and more conservative brother who follows the “rules”. He chooses his parents over Cain. Ham: Japheth’s middle brother and Aphra’s husband. He is not as docile as Japheth, nor as hot headed as Shem. Looks up to and follows Shem’s lead.
Gender: Male Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Seth / Shem – CAIN/YOUNG MEN SIDES
Seth: Adam and Eve’s third son and their family’s second chance at life. He is innocently adventurous. Shem: the oldest of Noah’s three sons. Married to Aysha, he is impulsive, strong, and hot-tempered.
Gender: Male Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Aphra – YONAH/YOUNG WOMEN SIDES
Ham’s pregnant wife. Longs for the flood to be over and is constantly worrying.
Gender: Female Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Aysha – YONAH/YOUNG WOMEN SIDES
Shem’s wife. Cynically bitter and constantly accusing those aboard the ark.
Gender: Female. Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Yonah*** – YONAH/YOUNG WOMEN SIDES
Noah’s servant who falls in love with Japheth and becomes his wife. Descendent of Cain. She is strong, yet humble, kind, and smart.
Gender: Female. Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
***Seeking actors who are deaf to share the roles of the designated characters. We will shadow/share the part(s) like Deaf West Productions has done with some of their shows.
We are also seeking interpreters to help with the rehearsal process and a choreographer who is either deaf or works within the community, to co-choreograph the show.
The artistic team is seeking someone to help with projections and closed captions as part of the overall design for the show. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to the Stage Manager, Matt Pollock at sm.coe.octa@gmail.com.
Callbacks
By invitation only on Monday, May 24 from 6:00 – 10:00 pm.
Rehearsal schedule
Rehearsals will begin on August 7, 2021 with a 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. song slam.
Regular rehearsals for August 9 through September 2 will follow this schedule (subject to change):
Mon-Thurs 6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Tech week: Sept. 5 – Sept. 9 – TBD
PRODUCTION DATES
September 10 – 26, 2021
Fri/Sat at 8:00 p.m. | Sun at 2:00 p.m.
EXPECTATION AND PREPARATION
All auditions will be by video submission. Please fill out the Audition Form and Rehearsal Conflict Sheet and email them to sm.coe.octa@gmail.com along with your video audition, headshot and resume (if available).
Additional Notes
Cast members are required to assist with the strike of the set directly after the final performance. Sets will be constructed prior to the beginning of rehearsals. All are invited to help build and paint the sets. A schedule will be emailed to all cast members.
ABOUT US
OCTA celebrates our cultural and intellectual richness and is committed to promoting diversity in all aspects of our organization. Non-traditional and equal-opportunity casting is encouraged.
OCTA is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization producing theatre in Olathe since 1974. Performing in the Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse, OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theatre productions a year. Through the generosity of volunteers, season ticket holders, donors, the city, and the community, in addition to a dedicated board of directors, OCTA has grown into one of the most progressive community theaters in the entire Kansas City metropolitan area.